John Cena announced at Backlash: Tampa that a new WWE tournament, the John Cena Classic, would soon become an annual staple.
Back in May, the former Royal Rumble winner described the John Cena Classic as a showcase with “the best of today competing against the best of tomorrow.”
“I’m so honored to announce to you the John Cena Classic. An entire evening of the best of today competing against the best of tomorrow. An entire event where WWE superstars and NXT superstars give you all that they have in hopes to be crowned a champion,” Cena declared at Backlash.
“We are making history. We have a brand-new event and the debut of a brand-new championship in the WWE.”
New details about the upcoming tournament were revealed on Friday, as False Finish reported the event will be held on Dec. 12.
Fightful previously reported that WWE was targeting the end of the year for the event, but that things were “subject to change.”
Now, the event’s date is more concrete. A location has not been determined.
Hosting the John Cena Classic on Dec. 12 is noteworthy, as it is set almost one calendar year (364 days) after Cena’s final match.
Fan Voting Will Influence John Cena Classic Winner
GettyWWE will include fan voting for John Cena Classic
Wrestling fans will play a hand in determining the John Cena Classic winner via electronic voting.
WWE has not yet announced whether voting will take place on the official website, app or both. However, Cena announced at Backlash that the WWE Universe will select the tournament’s winner.
“I have said time and time again, the biggest superstar in the WWE is the WWE Universe,” Cena said in May. “So, on top of a new championship and on top of a new event. For the first time in history, your voice will be heard louder than ever before. Because you, the audience, will vote to crown the champion of the John Cena Classic.”
WWE has scarcely used fan voting in the past. Cyber Sunday, the sole WWE PLE driven by fan voting, has not had a new installment since 2008.
Cena also announced that the John Cena Classic winner will be rewarded with a brand-new championship belt.
NXT Stars Will Challenge WWE Icons at JCC
GettyOba Femi is the 2026 King of the Ring winner
A fresh crop of talent is budding in the WWE Universe, and the John Cena Classic will set the stage for rising stars to make their mark.
When Cena announced the tournament at Backlash, he confirmed that WWE superstars and NXT stars will be eligible to compete.
Meaning that NXT stars will get to lock up with living legends on the main roster.
During the John Cena Farewell Tour, we saw a similar structure at the final Saturday Night Main Event of the year. That night, which concluded with Cena’s final WWE match, NXT Champion Oba Femi squared off against WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
Plus, newcomers Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater faced AJ Styles and Dragon Lee in a tag team match.
New Details Emerge on the John Cena Classic